Carrera bikes

living

Hi

I started to cycle to work (5 km each way) a few months ago but unfortunately the bike that I am currently using is almost death (it was the cheapest bike 7 years ago), so I am looking for a new one.

My budget is around €300 so I think that these 2 bikes match my expectations:

Crossfire 1:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810711_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

Carrera Subway:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810737_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

Some people say that the crossfire is better for commuting because it is more comfortable and the wheels are bigger. Other people say that the subway is better because it doesn't have front suspension... so I don't know which one I should purchase.

Any piece of advice is very appreciated

DaithiMC

living wrote: »

Hi

I started to cycle to work (5 km each way) a few months ago but unfortunately the bike that I am currently using is almost death (it was the cheapest bike 7 years ago), so I am looking for a new one.

My budget is around €300 so I think that these 2 bikes match my expectations:

Crossfire 1:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810711_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

Carrera Subway:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810737_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

Some people say that the crossfire is better for commuting because it is more comfortable and the wheels are bigger. Other people say that the subway is better because it doesn't have front suspension... so I don't know which one I should purchase.

Any piece of advice is very appreciated

I have a six (or maybe older!) year old Crossfire that I use a lot on my commute which is similar in distance to yours (6.5km). It is as sturdy a bike as you can get and apart from the usual brake blocks, tyres, tube changes you need to make over time I have never had a problem with it. I have not changed cables, chain or really needed to adjust the gears too much and it simply does what it is supposed to do.

There is a huge difference between it and the roadbike I use on the weekends and for some extended commuting/training and I would tend to agree that I would now prefer not to have the suspension as I have never been on remotely rough terrain (if you discount Beaver Row!) and even though the suspension can be locked out it is still "spongey" when you break or try to put in an acceleration. It is very comfortable though and after a long spin on a Sunday on the roadbike its often nice to feel like your in an armchair by comparison!

living

Thanks for the answer DaithiMC. If nobody convinces me I will go for the Crossfire

Hunterbiker

I'd say the subway. For the budget the suspension on the crossfire just adds weight. Surely the non suspension fork is a better option even on the odd trail.

living

Hi Hunterbiker

But is it relevant that extra weight when your average speed is just 20 km/h and most of the route is flat?

rich.d.berry

Another plus for the Subway is the disk brakes. Their stopping power is way better than the rim brakes and the disks don't suffer from deterioration in the wet.

Additionally, the Shimano Altus seems the better of the two shifters available. The Crossfire seems to have the lowest spec Shimano, I cannot see anything to identify the spec in the photo because it's insufficiently clear.

Hunterbiker

I suppose what I am getting at is that at the price point the forks (over the longterm) won't really give you anything. They are budget items and whilst initially they may smooth some of the bumps they won't really last.
as you say your commute is flat and even off road the subway would be fine.

living

Thanks guys...maybe what I will do is to change the saddle, I have heard that it is too hard and I have a very sensitive bottom

Sikpupi

I have the Subway and it's a real 'looker'. Sleek matt black - just a real crowd pleaser.

Also... it can move when needed.. the gears are super smooth and its a joy to ride.

I love to get out on it a few times week - great for the park etc.

Am very happy with it... would fully recommend it!

rich.d.berry

living wrote: »

Thanks guys...maybe what I will do is to change the saddle, I have heard that it is too hard and I have a very sensitive bottom

When I started out and bought a Raleigh hybrid I did the same. But once I started using padded cycling shorts I switched back because the original saddle was more comfortable in the long term.

living

Thank you all, I will go then for the Subway

darka78

living wrote: »

Thank you all, I will go then for the Subway

IF you are tall guy above 188cm get Carrera

Masala

Don't forget .. if you, or your Mate, has Axa Insurance - you get ANOTHER 10% off!! Even off the Sale items

You should have an AXA Card if you have the Insurance with them... and present this to Halfords for the discount. They don't look at the name... they just input the card number!

living

darka78 wrote: »

IF you are tall guy above 188cm get Carrera

living

Masala wrote: »

Don't forget .. if you, or your Mate, has Axa Insurance - you get ANOTHER 10% off!! Even off the Sale items

You should have an AXA Card if you have the Insurance with them... and present this to Halfords for the discount. They don't look at the name... they just input the card number!

Thanks, but unfortunately I was with AXA 2 years ago

living

I tested the bike yesterday coming back from the store (5.3 km)...I must say that the improvement is MASSIVE, even though the saddle was a bit low and I wasn't 100% comfortable.

BTW I don't think the saddle is uncomfortable, at least for a short trip.

Thanks to everybody for your help, very appreciated

Masala

So.... did u buy the Subway????

Hope you bought Sunglasses as well.....cos this bike makes you look Cooooool!

living

Masala wrote: »

So.... did u buy the Subway????

Hope you bought Sunglasses as well.....cos this bike makes you look Cooooool!

Lol, well, I didn't buy sunglasses but I bought a nicer helmet, the old one made me look like a mushroom

Yes, I finally bought the Subway. I must say that I loved the look of the Carrera Gryphon, beautiful bike with thinner wheels, but they only had the large size and they didn't expect more sizes because this model is going to be discontinued

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810613_langId_-1_categoryId_212377